Dear , 
  
                       BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!
 
Summer is winding down. School is back in session. Things will settle down to a more normal routine. Right? Well, a normal routine at Isle of Hope United Methodist Church is never normal! We have learned to expect the unexpected. This has been a very busy summer with numerous changes in programs and staff and in the lives of many of our people.
This summer we have served many others with mission teams, new worship experiences, and various programs here in our church. We are enjoying the addition of the Green House to our church facilities and all the opportunities it affords us to expand our work together. Sunday School classes have been willing to shift to new spaces with the addition of The Anchor Worship Service. Many great things are happening, and for this we give thanks. These things and many more are reasons for rejoicing.
All of the things which we have mentioned cost something in terms of personal commitment on the part of our congregation and staff and most of these things cost money also. We are very grateful for the support you continue to  give to all that we do as the  family of God here at IOHUMC. Our financial support for 2009 is tracking at about the same rate as our 2008 giving, but in 2009 we have a bigger budget, which was approved following our Consecration Sunday activities last Fall.                                      
As all of you know, the summer months are  the time when persons are away on vacation and attendance is smaller.  It is also the time when more activities, such as mission trips, take place because more persons are available to get involved, and also a time when cash-flow tends to lag. So every summer we need to pull some funds from our limited reserves. This summer we have had to  dig deeper into those  reserves than in any previous summer. 
We are all aware that the financial climate in the country is not all that we would like for it to be. But in spite of that, most of us are a blessed people in many different ways. We have each year based our Budget on the Estimates of Giving of our people, believing that each of us has "a need to give to others."                                                                            
As the Fall Season begins, we hope that each of us will take a look at where we are in support of the work of Christ through the Isle of Hope congregation. Some may need to catch up on their giving after the summer. Others may find that they can make an additional gift. Some may be new members who have not yet made an Estimate of their giving, but would want to contribute to the work which God is trying to do through our ministries together. In whatever way you can, we would appreciate your  help in moving your church closer to where it needs  to be financially,  in order to faithfully do the work of Jesus Christ in the world.
If you have questions, you may call any of the 3 of us and we will be glad to help. We look forward to a great Fall Season together in the work which Christ has called us to do here at Isle of Hope United Methodist Church.
 
      Sue Strickland         Linton Smith                 Dick Reese

Chairperson of Finance Church Administrator     Senior Pastor